If you or a loved one requires legal representation for obtaining visas, green cards, citizenship, adjustment of status, or stopping deportation, our experienced Los Angeles immigration attorneys may be able to help.

Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Nevada DUI Laws to learn more.

Immigrating to the U.S. is a gauntlet of forms, rules and interviews. But our attorneys are committed to making the process as quick and easy for you as possible. Visit our page on Nevada immigration laws to learn more.

All crimes in Colorado consist of "elements." An element is a fact that the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt for the defendant to be convicted. In this section, our Colorado criminal defense attorneys discuss the elements of each crime. Then we explain effective ways to defend against the charge, and what penalties a conviction may carry.

Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Colorado DUI Laws to learn more.

Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Car Penal Code 246 PC

California law, Penal Code 246 PC, makes it a crime to maliciously and willfully fire a firearm at any of the following:

An inhabited dwelling;

An occupied building;

An occupied motor vehicle;

An occupied aircraft; or

An inhabited housecar (such as an RV) or camper.1

You can be convicted of this California firearms offense for shooting at a house, apartment, RV or camper even if no one is actually home when you do so. All that matters is that someone is currently using the structure as a residence.2

Examples

The following are examples of individuals who could be prosecuted for shooting at an inhabited building or occupied vehicle under California Penal Code 246 PC:

A man finds out that his teenage daughter's boyfriend has raped her; he drives to the boyfriend's house with his gun and fires a “warning shot” in the direction of the front lawn.

In a fit of road rage, a woman who has just been cut off by another car fires a pistol at that car.

A woman sees her car being stolen, in an act of grand theft auto, from the street outside her house; she grabs a gun and shoots at the car as it drives away.

If, after reading this article, you would like more information, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group.

1. Legal Definition of Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Car

In order for you to be guilty under California Penal Code 246 PC, your behavior must meet the legal definition of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle. This definition consists of the following “elements of the crime”:

You willfully and maliciously shot a firearm; and

You shot the firearm at either:

An inhabited house, inhabited house car, or inhabited camper; or

An occupied building, occupied motor vehicle, or occupied aircraft.6

Let's take a better look at the terms in this legal definition.

Willfully and maliciously

Committing an act “willfully” means that you did it willingly or on purpose.7

And you act “maliciously” if you intentionally do a wrongful act, or if you act with the unlawful intent to disturb, defraud, annoy, or injure someone else.8

In other words, you are not considered to have acted willfully and maliciously when you do something entirely on accident.

Example: Aaron is a teenage boy who has just received a new hunting rifle for his birthday. He is excited to show it to his friend Tracy.

Aaron drives to Tracy's house. While sitting in his car in her driveway, he picks up his gun to admire it. Aaron is not very experienced with guns and ends up accidentally firing it in the direction of the house.

Aaron is probably not guilty of shooting a firearm at an inhabited dwelling house because he did not act willfully or maliciously.

A firearm

A “firearm” is defined as any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile is discharged or expelled through a barrel by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.9

It might seem like the word “at” doesn't require any explanation. But in fact, in the context of California law on shooting at an inhabited or occupied structure, it does.

As used in Penal Code 246, “shooting at” doesn't have to mean shooting directly at a target. Instead, it can mean either:

Shooting directly at an inhabited or occupied target; or

Shooting in close proximity to an inhabited or occupied target, under circumstances that show a conscious disregard for the probability that one or more bullets will strike the target or persons in or around it.10

Example: After being fired from a job in a warehouse, Warren goes back to his former workplace. He sees two old coworkers standing outside the warehouse smoking and asks them if they can sell him some methamphetamine.

They say no and yell at Warren to get off the warehouse property.

Warren goes back to his car, where a gun is waiting. Warren fires out of his passenger window at the two coworkers, who are not hit.

In addition to charges of Penal Code 245(a)(2) assault with a firearm for shooting at these individuals, Warren will face charges of shooting an occupied building. He didn't shoot directly at the warehouse, but he fired in its direction, in a way that showed disregard for whether persons inside would get hurt.11

Firing “at” an inhabited dwelling or occupied car does not include firing a shot once you are already inside a building or car.12

However, it does include firing a shot from one unit in a multi-family building (such as an apartment or condo building) into another unit.13

Example: Andrea lives in an apartment directly above Betty's. The two of them frequently argue over noise passing between the apartments.

One night Andrea begins vacuuming fairly late. Annoyed, Betty uses a broom to bang on the ceiling of her apartment. Andrea then takes out a gun and fires it into her floor. The bullet crosses Betty's ceiling and ends up in her apartment.

Andrea is guilty of shooting at an inhabited dwelling for firing from her apartment into Betty's.14

An inhabited house, house car or camper

Penal Code 246 PC covers the act of shooting at inhabited houses (or other residences), house cars and campers.

“House cars” means motor vehicles that are equipped for human habitation, like trailers or RVs. “Campers” are structures that are mounted on motor vehicles and provide facilities for human habitation or camping.15

“Inhabited” means that someone is using the place as a dwelling. It does not mean that someone needs to be inside at the time of the shooting.16

Example: Chuck's girlfriend Marta leaves him for a friend of his named Ross.

Ross and Marta go on a romantic vacation to Hawaii. When he hears about that, Chuck is enraged. He has too much to drink and then drives to the trailer park where Ross lives.

Chuck figures he will fire a few bullets into Ross's trailer to get his frustration out and get revenge on him. He knows no one will be hurt because Ross and Marta are in Hawaii.

But even though no one is currently occupying the trailer, Ross is still using it as his home, which means it is “inhabited.” So Chuck is violating Penal Code 246 PC.

A house, house car or camper is also considered to be inhabited if someone was using it as a dwelling and left because a natural or other disaster caused him/her to leave.17

A residence is considered to be uninhabited only if the residents have moved out and do not intend to return.18

An occupied building, motor vehicle, or aircraft

You can also violate California's law against shooting a firearm at an inhabited or occupied dwelling or motor vehicle if you shoot at one of the following while it is occupied:

If you are accused of shooting at one of these types of structures, you will only be guilty under Penal Code 246 if it was actually occupied—that is, someone was inside it—when you are alleged to have fired at it.20

Example: After being laid off from her job as a chef at an upscale restaurant, Jessica wants to take revenge on her old employer.

So she drives to the restaurant at four in the morning, when it is closed and no one is inside. She shoots at the restaurant's sign with a shotgun.

Jessica is not guilty of PC 246 shooting at an occupied structure because the restaurant was not occupied when she shot at it.

2. Penalties for Shooting at an Inhabited Structure or Occupied Car

PC 246 shooting at an inhabited structure or occupied car is a felony in California law.21

If you shoot a firearm at an inhabited dwelling or occupied structure/vehicle for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang—with the specific intent to promote, further or assist in the gang's criminal conduct—then you may face an additional two (2), three (3), or four (4) years in prison.24

So if you have a conviction on your record for this offense, and you are subsequently charged with any other California felony, you will face twice the normal sentence for that second offense under California's “Three Strikes” law.27

And, if you accumulate three “strike” convictions—one or more of which may be a conviction for firing at an inhabited dwelling or occupied building/vehicle—then you will receive a sentence of twenty-five (25) years to life in state prison.28

2.3. Immigration consequences of a PC 246 conviction

A conviction for firing at an inhabited structure or occupied building or vehicle can lead to serious immigration consequences for defendants who are not U.S. citizens

Like most crimes involving firearms, Penal Code 246 is a so-called “deportable crime.”29 So if you are not a U.S. citizen, and you are convicted of this offense—or plead guilty to it—you can be deported.

3. Legal Defenses to California Penal Code 246 Charges

In fighting such a serious firearms charge, it is an enormous help to have an experienced California gun crimes defense attorney on your side. S/he will be familiar with the most common legal defenses and plea bargain strategies for defendants accused of firing at an occupied dwelling or vehicle.

In our experience, some of the most commonly helpful defenses are:

Self-defense

You are not guilty of shooting at a house or occupied structure if you were acting in self-defense (or defense of someone else).30

This defense applies if all of the following are true:

You reasonably believed that you or someone else was in imminent danger of suffering bodily injury or being touched unlawfully;

You reasonably believed that you needed to fire a gun to defend against that danger; and

You used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against that danger.31

Example: Mike is a retired police officer who generally carries a gun with him when he goes out.

One day he is walking through his neighborhood when he sees a neighbor's child playing alone in the neighbor's front yard. A coyote has just entered the yard by jumping the fence and appears to be heading for the child.

Mike pulls out his gun and fires a shot in the direction of the house (but not at the child), hoping to scare the coyote away.

If Mike is charged with discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, he may be able to argue that he is not guilty because he acted in defense of the child.

Accident

As we discussed above, you are not guilty of firing a gun at a dwelling or vehicle unless the prosecutor can show that you acted willfully.32

So if the pulled the trigger unintentionally, you are not guilty of this offense.

“Lack of criminal intent, or accident, can be a helpful defense to charges of shooting at an inhabited house or occupied vehicle—but only in certain cases. The prosecutor does not need to show that you intended to hit a building or car, for example. But she or he does need to show that you intended to fire the gun in the first place. If you were unfamiliar with firearms or were scared or confused, you may have fired accidentally. Or maybe you had no idea the gun was loaded when you pulled the trigger.”

False accusations/mistaken identity

Of course, if the facts support it, one of the best defenses is that you weren't the person who committed the crime.

It is not uncommon for people to be falsely accused of firing a gun at a house or vehicle. A family or romantic conflict, a business arrangements gone sour, even mental illness—any of these could cause a person to falsely claim that you fired a gun in his/her direction.

It is also possible that the person accusing you, or the police, genuinely believe you were the culprit—when actually you weren't. If the shooting took place at night, this is especially likely.

In this case, you will want to hire a criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with forensic evidence in firearms cases and the investigative techniques that are most effective at ensuring that the true story comes out.

4. PC 246 Shooting at an Occupied Structure and Related Offenses

There are several California crimes that are often charged along with, or instead of, shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle. These include:

A misdemeanor negligent discharge conviction carries a lighter sentence and will produce a much less serious record than a felony conviction for firing at an inhabited building or occupied vehicle.

As a result, it may be worth your while to try to get PC 246 charges reduced to PC 246.3 negligent discharge of a firearm charges—particularly if the facts are not clear as to whether you were truly firing at a building or vehicle.

4.2. Penal Code 245(a)(2) assault with a firearm

An “assault” is an unlawful attempt to commit a violent injury on someone else.36 If you are alleged to have used a firearm to assault someone, you will be charged with assault with a firearm under Penal Code 245(a)(2) PC.37

We frequently see defendants charged with both firing at a dwelling or occupied vehicle and assault with a firearm—for example, in cases where they are alleged to have fired a gun at a person who was driving a car or standing outside a house.

Assault with a firearm is another wobbler. If it is charged as a misdemeanor, the potential county jail sentence is six (6) months to one (1) year. Charged as a felony, it carries a state prison sentence of at least two (2) and as many as twelve (12) years, depending on the type of gun used.38

4.3. California attempted murder

The legal definition of attempted murder is taking at least one direct step toward killing another person, with the intent to kill him/her.39

In cases where someone is alleged to have shot a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, occupied commercial building, or occupied vehicle, prosecutors may choose to charge the defendant with attempted murder—if they have grounds for arguing that the defendant intended to kill a specific person who was in the building or vehicle.

Attempted murder carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.40 For this reason, if you are charged with attempted murder under a scenario like this one, it may be in your best interest to try to bargain the charges down to PC 236 firing at an inhabited building or occupied vehicle.

This law imposes criminal penalties on anyone with a prior felony conviction who knowingly possesses or receives a firearm in California.42 Felon with a firearm carries an additional sentence of sixteen (16) months, two (2) years or three (3) years.43

And, of course, if you are convicted of Penal Code 246, California's felon with a firearm law will prevent you from lawfully owning or possessing a firearm after you have served your sentence.

4.5. Penal Code 26100 drive-by shootings

So if you are accused of firing from a vehicle at another (occupied) vehicle, or at an occupied building or inhabited dwelling, you could face charges under both California Penal Code 246 and California Penal Code 26100.

Many drive-by shootings are wobblers, with misdemeanor sentences up to one (1) year and felony sentences ranging from sixteen (16) months to three (3) years. However, if you are accused of shooting at a person, then you will always be charged with drive-by shooting as a felony, with potential sentences of three (3), five (5) or seven (7) years.45

4.6. Vehicle Code 23110 throwing objects at a motor vehicle

VC 23110 is a misdemeanor in most cases but becomes a felony if the defendant willfully and maliciously throws an object or substance capable of causing serious bodily harm, with the intent to cause great bodily injury.47

In other words, California law punishes throwing potentially harmful objects at motor vehicles as seriously as it takes shooting guns at occupied vehicles.

Call us for help…

For questions about the California crime of shooting at an occupied building or motor vehicle, or to discuss your case confidentially with one of our California criminal defense attorneys, do not hesitate to contact us at Shouse Law Group.

We have local criminal law offices in and around Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Jose, Oakland, the San Francisco Bay area, and several nearby cities.

1 Penal Code 246 PC – Shooting at inhabited dwelling house, occupied building, vehicle, or aircraft, or inhabited housecar or camper; punishment. (“Any person who shall maliciously and willfully discharge a firearm at an inhabited dwelling house, occupied building, occupied motor vehicle, occupied aircraft, inhabited housecar, as defined in Section 362 of the Vehicle Code, or inhabited camper, as defined in Section 243 of the Vehicle Code, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, five, or seven years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not less than six months and not exceeding one year. As used in this section, “inhabited” means currently being used for dwelling purposes, whether occupied or not.”)

2 Same.

3 Same.

4 Same.

5 Penal Code 672 PC – Offenses for which no fine prescribed; fine authorized in addition to imprisonment. (“Upon a conviction for any crime punishable by imprisonment in any jail or prison, in relation to which no fine is herein prescribed, the court may impose a fine on the offender not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) in cases of misdemeanors or ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in cases of felonies [such as shooting at an inhabited building or occupied motor vehicle] in addition to the imprisonment prescribed.”)

6 Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instruction (“CALCRIM”) 965 – Shooting at Inhabited House or Occupied Motor Vehicle (Pen. Code, § 246). (“The defendant is charged [in Count ] with shooting at an (inhabited house/inhabited house car/inhabited camper/occupied building/occupied motor vehicle/occupied aircraft) [in violation of Penal Code section 246]. To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the People must prove that: 1 The defendant willfully and maliciously shot a firearm; [AND] 2 The defendant shot the firearm at an (inhabited house/inhabited house car/inhabited camper/occupied building/occupied motor vehicle/occupied aircraft)(;/.) <Give element 3 when instructing on self-defense or defense of another.> [AND 3 The defendant did not act (in self-defense/ [or] in defense of someone else).]”)

7 CALCRIM 965 – Shooting at Inhabited House or Occupied Motor Vehicle (Pen. Code, § 246). (“Someone commits an act willfully when he or she does it willingly or on purpose.”)

8 Same. (“Someone acts maliciously when he or she intentionally does a wrongful act or when he or she acts with the unlawful intent to disturb, defraud, annoy, or injure someone else.”)

9 Same. (“[A firearm is any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile is discharged or expelled through a barrel by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.]”)

10 People v. Overman (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 1344, 1355-56. (“As we explain, section 246 is not limited to shooting directly at an inhabited or occupied target. Rather, it proscribes shooting either directly at or in close proximity to an inhabited or occupied target under circumstances showing a conscious disregard for the probability that one or more bullets will strike the target or persons in or around it.”)

11 Based on the facts of the same.

12 People v. Stepney (1981) 120 Cal.App.3d 1016, 1021. (“We conclude that the firing of a pistol within a dwelling house does not constitute a violation of Penal Code section 246. The most that can be said for appellant's conduct was that he intentionally discharged a pistol within a dwelling. Because that conduct was not proscribed by the statute under which he was prosecuted, his conviction must be reversed. We carefully note, however, that a different question would be presented if a person fired a weapon from one apartment into an adjoining apartment, either through the common wall, or through the floor or ceiling. A different question would also be presented if an individual discharged a firearm in a hallway of a multiple family dwelling. We make these references to emphasize that our decision here is limited to the discharge of a firearm within a dwelling.”)

13 People v. Jischke (1996) 51 Cal.App.4th 552, 556. (“Here, although defendant fired the gun while standing inside his own apartment, he also fired it in the direction of the apartment below. Defendant's floor was Betty Fry's ceiling. In shooting through his own floor, defendant necessarily shot into and “at” the adjacent dwelling unit. We conclude that defendant was properly convicted of violating Penal Code section 246 [shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle].”)

14 Based on the facts of the same.

15 CALCRIM 965 – Shooting at Inhabited House or Occupied Motor Vehicle (Pen. Code, § 246). (“[A house car is a motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently altered, and equipped for human habitation, or to which a camper has been permanently attached.] [A camper is a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes.]”)

16 Same. (“[A (house/house car/camper) is inhabited if someone uses it as a dwelling, whether or not someone is inside at the time of the alleged shooting.] [A (house/house car/camper) is inhabited if someone used it as a dwelling and left only because a natural or other disaster caused him or her to leave.] [A (house/house car/camper) is not inhabited if the former residents have moved out and do not intend to return, even if some personal property remains inside.]”)

17 Same. (“[For purposes of California's shooting at an inhabited dwelling law,] [A (house/house car/camper) is inhabited if someone used it as a dwelling and left only because a natural or other disaster caused him or her to leave.] [A (house/house car/camper) is not inhabited if the former residents have moved out and do not intend to return, even if some personal property remains inside.]”)

18 Same.

19 Same. (“[A motor vehicle [under California's law against firing a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle] includes a (passenger vehicle/motorcycle/motor scooter/bus/school bus/commercial vehicle/truck tractor and trailer/ <insert other type of motor vehicle>).]”)

See also Penal Code 672 PC – Offenses for which no fine prescribed; fine authorized in addition to imprisonment, endnote 5, above.

23 Penal Code 12022.53 PC – Sentence enhancements for persons convicted of enumerated felonies [including shooting at an occupied building or motor vehicle] who use firearm in commission of the crime; limitations. (“(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who, in the commission of a felony specified in subdivision (a), Section 246, or subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 26100, personally and intentionally discharges a firearm and proximately causes great bodily injury, as defined in Section 12022.7, or death, to any person other than an accomplice, shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment in the state prison for 25 years to life.”)

24 Penal Code 186.22 PC – Participation in criminal street gang; penalty [may enhance the sentence for firing at an inhabited dwelling house or occupied building or vehicle]. (“(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5), any person who is convicted of a felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members, shall, upon conviction of that felony, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony or attempted felony of which he or she has been convicted, be punished as follows: (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the person shall be punished by an additional term of two, three, or four years at the court's discretion. . . .”)

25 Penal Code 12022 PC – Terms of imprisonment for committing or attempting felony or violation while armed with firearm or using deadly or dangerous weapon; application to principals in commission of offense or attempted offense; judicial discretion. (“(a)(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), a person who is armed with a firearm in the commission of a felony or attempted felony shall be punished by an additional and consecutive term of imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for one year, unless the arming is an element of that offense [as it is for the crime of shooting at an occupied structure or motor vehicle].”)

26 Penal Code 1192.7 PC – Definition of “serious felony.” (“(c) As used in this section, "serious felony" means any of the following: . . . (8) any felony in which the defendant personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person, other than an accomplice, or any felony in which the defendant personally uses a firearm [this obviously includes inhabited dwelling or occupied motor vehicle]; . . . .”)

27 Penal Code 667(e)(1) PC – Three strikes law. ("(e) For purposes of subdivisions (b) to (i), inclusive, and in addition to any other enhancement or punishment provisions which may apply, the following shall apply where a defendant has one or more prior serious and/or violent felony conviction [including negligent discharge]: (1) If a defendant has one prior serious and/or violent felony conviction as defined in subdivision (d) that has been pled and proved, the determinate term or minimum term for an indeterminate term shall be twice the term otherwise provided as punishment for the current felony conviction. (2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), if a defendant has two or more prior serious and/or violent felony convictions [including firing at an inhabited dwelling or occupied motor vehicle] as defined in subdivision (d) that have been pled and proved, the term for the current felony conviction shall be an indeterminate term of life imprisonment with a minimum term of the indeterminate sentence calculated as the greatest of: (i) Three times the term otherwise provided as punishment for each current felony conviction subsequent to the two or more prior serious and/or violent felony convictions. (ii) Imprisonment in the state prison for 25 years. (iii) The term determined by the court pursuant to Section 1170 for the underlying conviction, including any enhancement applicable under Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 1170) of Title 7 of Part 2, or any period prescribed by Section 190 or 3046.”)

28 See same.

29 Immigration & Nationality Act (“INA”) 237, 8 U.S.C. 1227 – Deportable aliens. (“(a) Classes of deportable aliens: Any alien (including an alien crewman) in and admitted to the United States shall, upon the order of the Attorney General, be removed if the alien is within one or more of the following classes of deportable aliens: . . . (2) Criminal offenses . . . (C) Certain firearm offenses. Any alien who at any time after admission is convicted under any law of purchasing, selling, offering for sale, exchanging, using, owning, possessing, or carrying, or of attempting or conspiring to purchase, sell, offer for sale, exchange, use, own, possess, or carry, any weapon, part, or accessory which is a firearm or destructive device (as defined in section 921(a) of Title 18) in violation of any law is deportable.”) Shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle counts as “using” a firearm in violation of law.

31 CALCRIM 3470 – Right to Self-Defense or Defense of Another (Non-Homicide [applies to Penal Code 246 PC]). ("The defendant acted in lawful (self-defense/ [or] defense of another) if: [1] The defendant reasonably believed that (he/she/ [or] someone else/ [or] <insert name of third party>) was in imminent danger of suffering bodily injury [or was in imminent danger of being touched unlawfully]; [2] The defendant reasonably believed that the immediate use of force was necessary to defend against that danger; AND [3] The defendant used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against that danger.")

33 Bakersfield criminal defense attorney Neil Shouse is the founder and Managing Attorney of Shouse Law Group. He served five years in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, prosecuting more than 60 criminal trials with an astonishing 96% success rate in felony jury trials to verdict. Now Mr. Shouse defends clients accused of gun crimes, drug crimes, DUI and everything in between.

34 Penal Code 246.3 PC – Discharging firearm or BB device in grossly negligent manner; punishment [compare to offense of firing at an occupied building or vehicle]. (“(a) Except as otherwise authorized by law, any person who willfully discharges a firearm in a grossly negligent manner which could result in injury or death to a person is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. (b) Except as otherwise authorized by law, any person who willfully discharges a BB device in a grossly negligent manner which could result in injury or death to a person is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year. (c) As used in this section, “BB device” means any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action.”)

35 Same.

36 Penal Code 240 PC – Assault defined. (“An assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.”)

37 Penal Code 245 PC – Assault with a firearm [frequently charged along with Penal Code 246 PC shooting at a dwelling or occupied car]. (“(a) . . . (2) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not less than six months and not exceeding one year, or by both a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and imprisonment. (3) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a machinegun, as defined in Section 16880, or an assault weapon, as defined in Section 30510 or 30515, or a .50 BMG rifle, as defined in Section 30530, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 4, 8, or 12 years. . . . (b) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a semiautomatic firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or nine years.”)

38 Same.

39 CALCRIM 600 – California's attempted murder law [may be charged instead of firing at an inhabited residence or occupied structure or vehicle].

40 Penal Code 664 PC – Attempts. (“Every person who attempts to commit any crime, but fails, or is prevented or intercepted in its perpetration, shall be punished where no provision is made by law for the punishment of those attempts, as follows: (a) If the crime attempted is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, the person guilty of the attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for one-half the term of imprisonment prescribed upon a conviction of the offense attempted. However, if the crime attempted is willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder, as defined in Section 189, the person guilty of that attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life with the possibility of parole [compare to sentence for firing a gun at an inhabited or occupied structure or vehicle]. ")

41 People v. Jones (2002) 103 Cal.App.4th 1139, 1142. (“Jones asserts that, because his possession of the gun was incidental to and simultaneous with the primary offense of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, section 654 precluded the imposition of sentence on both offenses. We disagree.”)

42 Penal Code 29800 PC – Felon with a firearm [may be charged along with shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied car]. (“(a)(1) Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States, the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, or of an offense enumerated in subdivision (a), (b), or (d) of Section 23515, or who is addicted to the use of any narcotic drug, and who owns, purchases, receives, or has in possession or under custody or control any firearm is guilty of a felony.”)

43 Penal Code 18 PC – Punishment for felony not otherwise prescribed; alternate sentence to county jail. (“(a) Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by any law of this state, every offense declared to be a felony [including felon with a firearm] is punishable by imprisonment for 16 months, or two or three years in the state prison unless the offense is punishable pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.”)

44 Penal Code 26100 PC – Drive-by shootings [often charged in connection with shooting at a dwelling or occupied structure or vehicle]. (“(c) Any person who willfully and maliciously discharges a firearm from a motor vehicle at another person other than an occupant of a motor vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in state prison for three, five, or seven years. (d) Except as provided in Section 3002 of the Fish and Game Code, any person who willfully and maliciously discharges a firearm from a motor vehicle is guilty of a public offense punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or in the state prison.”)

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